Middlebury board delays setting special election date after petition filing; town clerk certified 416 signatures

Town Clerk Brigitte M. Bessette told the Board that petitions to call a Special Election for a two‑year Selectman vacancy were timely filed and that her office had verified 416 signer names against the registration list, exceeding the statutory 345‑signature threshold (5% of electors). Bessette quoted a staff attorney from the Office of the Secretary of the State that the selectmen are responsible for setting the Special Election date and that choosing a date that accommodates the required 90‑day election calendar is customary.

First Selectwoman Jennifer A. Mahr moved to set the Special Election for Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Selectman J. Paul Vance said he had contacted the Secretary of the State’s office and wanted to be certain the petition certification process and calendar were correct before setting a date. Selectman Brian Shaban concurred, saying the town should be meticulous to preserve public confidence in the election. When the board voted, Mahr was the lone vote in favor and the motion failed 1‑2. Vance then moved to table the date until the next meeting so the board could await written guidance from the Secretary of the State and, if needed, an election‑law attorney; that motion passed 2‑1 (Vance and Shaban for, Mahr opposed).

The clerk’s packet attached to the minutes includes petition pages, circulator affidavits and receipts. The board did not set alternate dates at the Feb. 9 meeting and will revisit the scheduling once the requested legal confirmation arrives.